Hi Kelly - I had the BMB as part of confirming my ET diagnosis, as it is one the WHO/intl consensus criteria in diagnosing the MPN and as it checks for other conditions such as pre-PMF. There was also a baseline taking element to this as well, which entailed the bone marrow aspiration samples and the biopsy.

A BMB is a tool to diagnose your condition , so i do not think you actualy need one

Kelly I would ask for one sooner to get confirmation of the diagnosis. My husband was initially told he had ET because that’s what his symptoms pointed to. But when they did his BMB he was diagnosed with PV.

Within a very short period bc watch and wait doesn’t work for me

Hi Kelly,

BMB is necessary to diagnose ET. It is the gold standard of diagnosis for ET, together with the genetic testing. It might feel scary, but it leads to a more accurate diagnosis.
The only way to distinguish between ET and PMF is a BMB.
I had my BMB done at diagnosis, and if you plan it well, have someone there with you for moral support, and give yourself a couple of days after of rest, it is OK.
I did not feel my BMB was in any way more intrusive than a root canal treatment. It is more the thought that scares is than anything else.

I hope you get the support and help you need. If it helps you, be direct and ask your doctor about the procedure, so that you can get more comfortable with the idea.

Best wishes,
Tatiana